Chapter Text
One of the several CRT box monitors that Stanley passed by outside started to grow some green fur. He passed by it every day when he went out scavenging, finding more fur on it each time. Now, it had grown legs, and... wings? Soft cream colored wings fluttered on its back as a face glitched onto the screen. "Meep mrop!"
Narrator's grip on his pipe tightened as he tried to swing at the creature. The fluffy thing jumped away, making more squeaking sounds. Stanley watched the creature hop away from Narrator, a look of wonder on his face. He'd never seen anything like it. "Whoa, hold on! No need to try to kill it," he says, putting a hand on Narrator's arm to stop him. "It doesn't seem dangerous. It's just...cute. Look at it."
Narrator looked back at him like he was crazy. "Cute? Stanley– That thing could be dangerous! We don't know what it is, or what it could do!"
"But look at it," Stanley begs, gesturing towards the creature, now happily hopping around on a counter. "It's tiny, and it's got this soft, fluffy fur. It's not attacking anyone. And it even makes those little squeaks. How could you not find that kind of adorable?"
Narrator sighed, reluctantly lowering his pipe. "Fine, it's...kinda cute. But that doesn't mean it's not dangerous. For all we know, it could be poisonous or something."
The creature smiled, letting out a higher-pitched noise this time. "Meep mrop!"
It rubbed against Narrator, fluttering its wings and squealing. Stanley stifled a laugh, unable to help himself. The way the creature was acting, so affectionate and carefree, was endearing. "See? It's friendly."
Narrator sighed again, looking at the creature that was now brushing up against his leg. It did seem pretty harmless, and it was definitely kind of cute. He relented, putting the pipe away and kneeling down to get a better look at it. He hesitantly reached out and gently patted its head, feeling the soft fur beneath his hand. "I suppose you're right, Stanley…It doesn't seem like it has any ill intentions. But what on earth is it ? I've never seen anything like it before."
Stanley shrugged, sitting down on the ground next to Narrator and the creature. "I have no idea. Maybe it's some kind of...mutant hamster? Or some kind of weird hybrid animal?"
The creature rolled onto its back, purring.
Stanley chuckled, gently scratching the creature's belly . "It definitely acts like a cat, doesn't it?"
Narrator, still a bit wary, continued to watch the creature. "Maybe we should name it? If we're going to keep it around."
Stanley thought for a moment, then his face lit up. "How about we call it Sunni?"
Narrator raised an eyebrow. "Sunni? Really, Stanley?"
Stanley shrugged, grinning. "What? I think it's fitting. It's like...a little ball of sunshine. The sunshine in this…” he threw his hands around, gesturing to the ruined parable “shitty apocalypse."
Narrator's smile faded as he watched Stanley play with the creature. Yes, it was cute, but it was also a creature of the apocalypse. It was probably diseased, and definitely dirty.
"You're being ridiculous, Stanley. Keeping this thing with us...It could be carrying all sorts of diseases, or fleas, or…or anything! And we don't even know what it eats. We have barely enough food for ourselves, let alone to feed a little...furry...beast."
Stanley rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Narrator. You're just being grumpy."
Narrator pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not being grumpy, I'm being realistic. This is a dangerous place. We can't just go picking up random animals."
Stanley looked back at Sunni, who was sleeping peacefully in his lap.
"Look at it, though. It's harmless," he pouted.
Narrator groaned. "Harmless or not, it's still a liability. And it's not like we can just let it go out into the ruins without supervision."
Stanley gently lifted Sunni in his arms, cradling the creature like a baby. "I can supervise it," he said, pleading with puppy-dog eyes.
"And what about when we're asleep, huh? What then?"
"I'll put it in a box. It'll be fine," Stanley insisted.
Narrator raised an eyebrow. "A box? You're just going to keep it in a box?"
Stanley looked down at Sunni, who was yawning and stretching in his arms, its small limbs extending. "Yeah, it'll work," he said, nodding firmly.
Narrator let out a frustrated sigh. "This is a terrible idea, Stanley."
"Trust me, Narrator," Stanley said, standing up and holding Sunni against his chest. "It'll be fine."
Narrator sighed again, but didn't continue to argue. As much as he disliked the idea, he knew Stanley was stubborn and wouldn't be talked out of this. "Fine. But if it causes any trouble, I'm getting rid of it."
Stanley's face brightened at Narrator's reluctant agreement. "Thanks, Narrator! You won't regret this, I promise."
Narrator rolled his eyes again, looking at Stanley and Sunni with pure annoyance. "I seriously doubt that."